How You Can Help
A week of summer camp is more than just a week—it has the potential to cause a lifetime of change for our campers. Camp fosters significant strides in independence, social-emotional skills, and self-perception, leaving a lasting impact well beyond the camp experience.
It’s a tremendous privilege to play a role in expanding opportunities for the youth in our community, and we would be honored if you joined us in this journey!
DONATE
WCP relies on the generous support of individuals, businesses, organizations, foundations, and our valued partner camps. Without any government funding, the number of children we can send to camp each year depends entirely on the availability of funds. We need your assistance to send more kids to camp! You can contribute by completing and mailing the Donation by Mail Form or by clicking on the donate button below. All monetary and in-kind donations can be mailed to our office address at 3135 South State Street, Suite 350-D, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.
Donations of goods and services are also appreciated.
Our campers need:
Sleeping bags, duffel bags, bath towels and washcloths, and single bed linens (all new or gently used). They also need new socks, water bottles, flashlights, non-aerosol bug repellent, sunscreen, rain ponchos, and cloth laundry bags.
Our office needs:
White copy paper, postage (any denomination), and printer cartridges (call for details).
We gratefully acknowledge all gifts on behalf of “a happy camper!”
VOLUNTEER
If you’re interested in volunteering, a background check is required for those interacting with our campers. Our peak volunteer needs are from May to August during spring and summer, but opportunities are available throughout the year. To volunteer for any of the listed opportunities, please get in touch with us or fill out this form.
Orientation Volunteer – Every May, we host an annual Camper Orientation for our clients. During this event, we provide lunch while campers and their families engage with camp representatives to learn about the upcoming summer camp experience. Campers also receive new or gently used sleeping bags and camping gear donated throughout the year. Volunteers play a crucial role in setting up, assisting with sign-in and directing campers, serving lunch, leading craft projects, distributing camping gear, and cleaning up after the event. Your help makes this event possible!
Camper Liaison – Throughout the summer, our campers travel to and from camp, and we arrange transportation to five out of our six camps. Volunteers play a crucial role as liaisons at pick-up and drop-off points, with no driving required. These volunteers are essential to ensuring a smooth process for our camper families and camp partners.
During camp drop-off, volunteers are responsible for ensuring all campers arrive, making calls to late campers, and assisting camp staff in the check-in process. At pick-up, volunteers ensure all parents arrive for pick-up, facilitate the return of campers to their parents, and stay in contact with WCP staff in case of any issues.
Your support as a volunteer is vital to the success of these transportation processes!
Camper Chaperone and Luggage Car –When our campers attend YMCA Camp Mystic Lake, their bus departs from the Lansing YMCA. WCP has been fortunate to secure a donated van and driver for transporting campers to and from the bus. We’re in need of a chaperone to accompany the driver and campers on the journey to Lansing or back to Ann Arbor. Additionally, since the van can’t accommodate all the campers’ luggage, we’re looking for volunteers to assist with a luggage car. Each trip to the Lansing YMCA requires two volunteers.
If you’re interested in volunteering for this trip, more information will be provided.
Additional Volunteer Opportunities – We’re also seeking volunteers for year-round activities in the office, including mailings, filing, gathering camper clothing and gear, compiling statistics, publicity, and fundraising. Please contact WCP to discuss available volunteer opportunities.
INTRODUCE US TO YOUR GROUP OR ORGANIZATION
We thoroughly enjoy meeting with and presenting to individuals or groups of any size and sharing about the impact a camp experience can have on a child. Perhaps your club or church would be interested in sponsoring a camper or organizing a sleeping bag drive for us. We’d love the opportunity to discuss the ways we can make a difference together.
SHOP
Do you shop at Kroger? We’re excited to be part of their Community Rewards Program, where Kroger will donate a percentage of your shopping to Washtenaw Camp Placement at no extra cost to you. All you need to do is link your shop card to WCP using our Kroger Community Rewards Number: RD691. Simply visit https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards to get started.